LOTL-Radio The Comfort Zone

Fabled Motown Drumming great Lanise Hughes’ incomparable resume features, without exaggeration, some of the biggest, baddest names in music history. Yes… Lanise was the drummer for the one and only Rick James, which included world tours, major television performances, and recordings on many Gold and Platinum certified albums, including the triple platinum classic “Street Songs.”  Throw in other credits like The Temptations, Teena Marie, and Bobby Brown,   greatest live performing Funk/Rock Bands to ever hit a stage! …An adrenaline rush of pure unabashed raw energy!! The Original Stone City Band is ready to “Fire Up That Funk!!”    Formed in 1978, by The King of Punk Funk, Rick James, The Original Stone City Band served as Rick's exclusive recording and touring band from the beginning and through the height of his career. They were responsible for cranking out the memorable sounds to timeless hits such as “You and I”, “Super Freak”, “Mary Jane”, “Bustin’ Out”, “Ghetto Life”, “Fire and Desire”, The Temptations’ “Standing on the Top”, The Mary Jane Girls’ “All Night Long”, “Boys”, “In My House” and many, many more. 

Michel’le Toussant is a powerful vocalist, songwriter, and outstanding R&B artist. She is known for her squeaky, child like speaking voice, which is a startling contrast to her strong vocals. Michel’le was the featured female vocalist on the World Class Wreckin’ Crew’s 1988 single “Turn Off The Lights”.She was originally signed to Eazy-E’s Ruthless Record label that released her self-titled debut album, “Michel’le in 1989. Her debut album which was entirely produced by Dr. Dre, contained the classic “No More Lies” also hit singles “Nicety” and “Something in my Heart”. The album Michel’le sold over 1.5 million copies and generated two music videos for the singles from the album. She also toured throughout the United Kingdom in support of the album.In 1997 Michel’le released her second album titl

Dionne has performed and recorded the likes of hip-hop, pop, soul, gospel, and modern R&B and now adds  jazz to her repertoire. Born in the land of the funk, (Plainfield, New Jersey), she grew up listening to everything from P-Funk to the song styling’s of the great jazz singers, (the latter influenced by her maternal grandparents), and with all that stirring inside, it was bound to show up at some point in her musical DNA. A certified member of the hip-hop generation by age and geography (the hardcore ghetto of East St. Louis),  Russell's early aspirations in the world of rap music took precedence over the trumpet that he began playing  in fourth grade. When he reached sixteen, the deadline he set for his hip-hop career to take off, and his dedication to the art of jazz took shape. When GRAMMY®-winning vocalist Dionne Farris and GRAMMY®-nominated trumpeter Russell Gunn, took the  stage at the Atlanta jazz club Churchill Grounds on Oct. 12th & 13th, 2012, the assemblage of music lovers  that gathered to see them didn’t exactly know what they were in store for. The redefining of Farris’s music by  Gunn on her new project, Dionne Get Your Gunn: Featuring the Russell Gunn Quartet is a complete departure  from her last release, (2011) Lady Dy The Mixtape Part 1. Russell’s arrangement of Dionne’s #1 pop hit “I  Know,” on DGYG is done in 5/4 time signature, which never misses a beat and neither does Farris, in her  sticking of new landings for the song. Dionne and Russell have embarked on a musical journey that will lift t

On Grace and Mercy Butler delivers a collection of songs that serve as a soothing musical balm in today’s troubled times. “This album really speaks about optimism, faith, belief and hope, especially in the light of what everybody has been experiencing in the last two or three years,” he says. “There’s been a lot of people losing their homes, their jobs, enduring the challenges that life brings. I’m hoping this album will bring hope to people. Songs like ‘Give it Up To God,’ ‘I Stand On Your Word,’ and ‘Who is Like the Lord’ were written from experiences that I’ve had to go through myself.” The lead single, “I Stand On Your Word,” is a soaring ballad that reminds us of the power of God’s promises. “I love that song,” Butler says. “I hope that it hits home to a lot of people.”   God’s word became real to Butler when he was just a teenager. At 19-years-old, Butler’s life forever changed when he became a Christian. “It was love that drew me to Christ,” he smiles, “the love of someone who cared enough to talk to me about Jesus and take me in when I was basically a broken young man in South Africa. It was my late brother-in-law, my wife’s brother, who led me to Christ. He was that person in my life that actually took the time to talk to me about Jesus, and it didn’t take me long to give my heart to Christ because of that.”   &n

A great vocalist has a way of inhabiting a song, living it and making it their own. It takes especially great powers of interpretation for a singer to take a song definitively recorded by a legendary artist and give it new life with a fresh interpretation. Phil Perry takes on the ultimate challenge with the opening track of his new album, the indelible “You Send Me,” recorded in classic style by the peerless Sam Cooke, whose own unique phrasing style actually shapes the melody of the tune, which he wrote. Yet Phil Perry transforms the song while still retaining its essence, opening in “old school” style and then transmuting it into contemporary soul music. Few singers around today could have done it but those who have experienced the magic of Phil Perry’s talent will not be surprised. On March 12, 2013, Shanachie Entertainment will release SAY YES, Phil Perry’s latest—and quite possibly, greatest—album. With special guests Chanté Moore and Najee, Phil delivers a splendid mix of originals and notable covers in a style befitting the man James Ingram who calls Perry “the most powerful singer I have ever heard.”

Laura's music has been seasoned by influences from her background work with icons such as George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, as well as her extensive global travels (15 countries and three languages thus far); a delivery that has hints of Samba, Hip Hop, and African beats. Laura recently joined Sony/ATV and plans to release her debut album "The Awakening" in 2013.South African born singer/songwriter Laura Reed has been captivating audiences globally with her dynamic vocals, vulnerable songwriting, and inspiring live performances. Laura cut her teeth as an artist early on, performing at coffee shops and street corners from age 16 throughout North Carolina. Laura currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee where she was beckoned by mentor, former music executive and Grammy-award winning producer, Paul Worley.

After a long hiatus, it finally seems that R&B as a genre is set for a major comeback. With the decline of autotune-abusive songs by non-singers, the recent signings of exciting new vocalists by major labels, and a demand by fans for the feeling that ‘90s and ‘00s R&B super hits gave them to come back, singer/songwriter/producer Emanny has found himself in the middle of a perfect storm. And with his soulful, expressive voice and songwriting talents with subject matter that ranges from romantic & raunchy to scorned & seductive, he’s looking forward to the forecast.Since his teenage years, Emanny’s tenacity, talent, and passion for music has put him in the studio and on stage with major talent that includes singers Tank, Trey Songz, Donnell Jones, Miguel, Ginuwine, the late Gerald Levert, and Patti Labelle as well as rappers Joe Budden and Jadakiss. Now with over a decade of experience in the music industry, a number of tours, and thousands of fans, Emanny is set to have an incredible future in music. This year, he’s been featured on three songs from Joe Budden’s recently released album No Love Lost and has dropped a number of new singles in anticipation for the upcoming second installment of his Songs About HER project. Expect to see him in your city touring soon!

In June of 2012, Manny X was hand selected by 2 time Grammy award winner, T-Pain, as the Grand Prize winner of Guitar Center’s “Your Next Record” nationwide competition. More than 4600 hopefuls entered this competition for the chance to win top of the line recording equipment and record a 3 song EP with T-Pain and producer Young Fyre. T-Pain called Manny X’s music “New, Fresh and Exciting…I Can’t wait to get into the studio and make some records with him!” Manny X’s music is beginning to create major waves in the industry as he is set to release the EP titled "Genesis" featuring T-Pain on June of 2013!Manny X is a R&B/Soul/Pop Songwriter, Singer, Producer, and Multi-Instrumentalist whose sound is influenced by Usher, Robin Thicke, and Stevie Wonder. Manny boasts a strong online fanbase, enjoying the support of fans all over the country. As a producer, Manny X has worked with numerous talented artists in the Providence and Boston area. Recently, Manny released his long awaited full-length effort, Songs About H.E.R., which received positive praise and has amassed thousands of plays and downloads from fans and critics.

LOTL Radio The Quiet Storm .  Presents Grammy Nominated Songwriter Kay Cola . Debut here new hit single RIVER ( WATER ). Kay Cola is the daughter of world renown jazz & classical musician Hubert Laws.She has written & has been featured on projects for Dr.Dre , Eminem, Game, Ne-Yo , Talib Kaweli & Pleasure P. She has performed in Japan , opening up for Ne-Yo. She has worked with producers such as Boi1da ( DRAKE )  & RedOne ( LADY GAGA ).

The Soulful Gentleman Love Junkie is Heston's fourth and hottest album to date, he believes, is his best yet. This well written and produced album has something for everyone.  Production by Dj Kemit, with dance and steppers grooves like, To the Sky and Resign to You.  Production by talented and highly sought after producer, Darren Daz I-Que Benjamin, with  love ballads, such as the title track, Love Junkie, and second single, Dreaming which Heston's Fans have come to know and love.  Influences of roots reggae are peppered throughout the Album - most evident in cuts like, Come Away With Me and Our Father -  produced collectively by The Swatt Band and gifted producer and Bassist, Ryan Wilson - pulling songs out of Heston, that have bubbled inside this talented singer songwriter from his early days growing up in Dominica, and being influenced by the best that reggae had to offer.

Brian Culbertson, the founder of the Napa Valley Jazz Getaway began his musical journey at the age of 8 on piano, adding drums at 9, trombone at 10 then bass at 12. He grew up in Decatur, IL, loving genre-crossing jazz-pop artists such as Earth, Wind & Fire, Chicago, Tower of Power, The Brecker Brothers, David Sanborn, Yellowjackets and Chick Corea. So naturally gifted was Brian, his 7th grade piano recital consisted of all original tunes. Brian flourished in high school bands where his father, Jim Culbertson was the school’s internationally award-winning jazz band director, and moved to Chicago to complete his musical studies at DePaul University. He then went on to compose jingles for clients such as United Airlines, Gatorade, Sears and McDonald’s in the bustling city’s highly competitive advertising community. In 1994, at age 20, Brian self-produced his debut album, Long Night Out. Since then, Brian has released twelve more albums, toured around the world, seen his name at the top of Billboard and radio charts, worked and performed with industry all-stars like Maurice White, Larry Graham, Chris Botti, Musiq Soulchild, Ledisi, Chuck Brown, and “Bootsy” Collins to name a few, and received numerous awards including recently being nominated for a 2012 NAACP Image Award and a 2012 Soul Train Award. Regardless of his success, fans can be rest assured that with 13 albums and counting, Brian Culbertson always brings his very best – and brings the very best out of others &amp

World renowned 6 string electric bassist and band leader Discuss his latest CD ' Electric Mingus Project " Gerald Veasley's dynamic music has garnered him an ever-growing loyal fan base. Listeners appreciate Gerald for his virtuosity combined with a soulful approach to music making. Meanwhile, critics have also noticed this six-string bassist's work. He has been voted “Best Electric Bassist” by Jazziz Magazine and named in both Downbeat Magazine's Critic's and Reader's Polls.As a recording artist, Gerald has eight CDs to his credit. Among them is On The Fast Track, which featured the top ten hit, “Do I Do”.  Gerald's live CD, At The Jazz Base, was recorded in his jazz club, Gerald Veasley's Jazz Base, in Reading, PA.  Jazziz magazine calls his current release, Your Move, “instantly infectious and stylistically versatile.”

“Today’s music is over-ego or over-sex. There isn’t a conversation of what went wrong, why people do what they do in relationships. Where are the songs saying we’re all still learning?” – Bradd Marquis They say there are no more good guys; that nice guys finish last. Soul singer/songwriter and actor/producer Bradd Marquis lays these myths to rest with the release of his third independent album release, Thank You. Enchanting audiences with his 2007 album debut, the critically acclaimed Finding My Way and its 2011 follow-up, Authentic, Marquis projects the kind of clean-cut, old school charm unseen since the days of Sam Cooke. The spiritual troubadour with the pulse of the common man, Marquis strums the pains, feelings, and thoughts of that brother who struggles to find the words to say.  Towering, boyishly handsome, and boasting a baritone dipped i

Called an "astral soul goddess" by Mojo magazine, NAVASHA DAYA is a singer, songwriter, composer, producer, and performer extraordinaire. She lights up the stage with her energy and continues to amaze with her vocal range. And she is an artist with a purpose, captivating audiences and winning the hearts of fans everywhere with healing lyrics for a world in need of inspiration and upliftment. For over a decade, NAVASHA served as lead vocalist, songwriter and co- founder of the highly acclaimed soul, funk, jazz band, Fertile Ground and has been dubbed one of the foremothers of the underground/ indie soul movement.4 LPs, international tours and thousands of performances later, NAVASHA is doing her own thing and has graced us with a genre-busting powerhouse of originality, bubbling with her signature dance grooves, haunting melodies, and soul-stirring lyrics.

Johnny Britt is a multi-talented singer, songwriter, producer, trumpeter, arranger and composer in the entertainment industry. Johnny has two #1 Billboard Contemporary Jazz Singles and currently has a third that has been #1 on the same chart for eight straight weeks that he wrote. Johnny has worked behind the scenes in the recording studio or live on stage with some of the biggest artists and projects in the industry. They are Josh Groban, David Bowie, Jennifer Lopez, The Temptations, Maxwell, Peabo Bryson, Quincy Jones, Luther Vandross, Dionne Warwick, Kashif, Norman Conners, The Winans, Aaron Neville, Zhang Liang Ying, Misia, Mark Isham, David Foster, Walter Afanasieff, Mike Elizondo, Harvey Mason Jr., Boney James, Marcus Miller, Take 6, Water For Elephants, Ides Of March, The Lion King, Forest Gump, Spiderman 3, American Idol, The Temptations Story, The Little Richard Story and currently the music producer for the hit TV Show America Sings. Johnny was the brainchild behind the group that he founded that fused jazz, hip hop, rap and soul. That critically acclaimed group was Impromp2 which reached #1 status in the UK Soul Charts and was signed to Motown/Mojazz Records … the group recorded four albums. The group performed at The White House for President Bill Clinton as well as the 1997 Olympic Games in Atlanta.